ELIDA, Ohio (WLIO) — After a disappointing 3-8 campaign in 2024, the Elida Bulldogs are entering the new season with a fresh mindset, a revamped defense and a new quarterback under center. Head coach Kyle Harmon believes last season's struggles were rooted in one key issue: inconsistency. "Week in and week out, we're looking to stay consistent," Harmon said. "Because when we compete at a high level, we can play with anybody in the league. But if we don't have good weeks of practice, we don't show up on Friday night — and in our league, it's extremely tough to win football games." Senior Noah Jostpille echoed that sentiment, saying preparation during the week will be a major focus heading into the 2025 season. "Last year, practices were not a good thing," Jostpille said. "This year, if we can keep a steady flow of good practices, we should have a more consistent year and win more games." One of the biggest changes comes at quarterback, where sophomore Jonan Snyder takes over for last year's starter. Fortunately, Snyder will operate behind a veteran offensive line that returns all five starters — a rare advantage in high school football. "He can throw the ball really well," Jostpille said. "For being as young as he is, he's done great this summer. I have full trust in him, and I think our other receivers do, too." Defensively, Elida is moving to a 3-4 scheme — a change that should benefit star defensive end Parker Crim. The University of Illinois commit enters his senior season with one goal in mind: breaking the school record for sacks. The current record is 13; Crim is aiming for 14. "We switched our defense to a 3-4," Harmon said. "Parker is obviously a problem on the edge. Last year, he was stuck there and teams ran away from him. This year, we're going to move him all over — defensive end, nose guard, standing up and rushing from different spots. That'll let us bring pressure from a lot of places." Crim said the new look fits right in with what he'll be doing at the college level. "It's exciting, man," he said. "We're really running what Illinois runs, so it's a great learning curve. I want to do what I do for this school — and the one I'm going to. That sack record? I'm going for 14." With a strong core of underclassmen and returning veterans, Elida believes this group is capable of doing something that's eluded the program in recent years: advancing past the first round of the postseason. "Our younger guys grew up over the course of last season," Harmon said. "They're going to be asked to play larger roles this year. We lost some really good football players, but these guys have worked hard in the weight room, added size, improved their speed, and I think they're ready." Crim said the team is focused on building on its recent playoff berths — and taking that next step. "We've made the playoffs two years in a row," he said. "Now we've just got to get over that first-round hump. We've got to learn from our past mistakes so we can make a deeper run." With a new defensive identity, a young quarterback stepping in, and a renewed emphasis on practice habits, the Bulldogs are hoping this fall brings a different story — one they can be proud of on Friday nights. Head Coach Kyle Harmon and Elida are taking more of a fresher approach this season, new defensive scheme, young faces, stepping up in an emphasis on getting things right out here in the practice field and translating it to Friday nights.

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